Partners

Partners

Oklahoma Humanities provides funding and resources that support lifelong learning and a vibrant cultural life for all Oklahomans. Its mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. Oklahoma Humanities is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Its programs are designed to actively engage people in the humanities disciplines, such as history, literature, philosophy, and ethics. Oklahoma Humanities is providing up to 20 scholar grants to libraries and groups participating in The Great American Read.

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) is the official state library of Oklahoma. It serves the information and records management needs of state government, assists with public library development, coordinates library and information technology projects for the state, and serves the general public through its specialized collections. ODL is promoting The Great American Read edition of Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma via website, social media, direct e-mail to organizations, and print materials.

The Oklahoma Center for the Book in the Oklahoma Department of Libraries is an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, and was the fourth state center established in the country. The center is organized to focus attention on the vital role of books and reading in our lives. It promotes the past, current, and future works of Oklahoma authors, promotes the literary heritage of the state, and encourages reading for pleasure by Oklahomans of all ages. The Center is providing promotional activities to assist with The Great American Read.

Books for The Great American Read edition of Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma have been provided by the Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma and the Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book.

The mission of Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma (FOLIO) is to strengthen libraries in Oklahoma through local Friends of Library organizations (FOLs). The organization recognizes exemplary FOLs, offers seed grants to establish new FOLs, offers scholarships for Oklahoma librarians, and advocates for libraries with municipal, state, and national leaders. FOLIO sponsors Oklahoma’s Literary Landmarks program, which dedicates sites to honor deceased Oklahoma authors and their works.

The Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book is a cultural and educational non-profit corporation to advance and promote the role of the book and reading in Oklahoma. The Friends support and further enhance the programs and projects of the Oklahoma Center for the Book in the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The Friends provide financial and volunteer assistance to the annual Oklahoma Book Awards, author visits to libraries, the national Letters About Literature competition for children and teens, and other celebrations of the book.

The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) is broadcasting PBS’s The Great American Read series across the state. OETA’s statewide network of four transmitting stations and 14 translator stations provide programming to two million viewers on a weekly basis. OETA is America’s most-watched Public Broadcasting Service network.

OETA is licensed to the state of Oklahoma and operates as a public/private partnership. It is supported by both public and private funds.

America’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a membership organization that, in partnership with its member stations, serves the American public with programming and services of the highest quality, using media to educate, inspire, entertain and express a diversity of perspectives. This private, nonprofit corporation was founded in 1969. Members are America’s public TV stations—noncommercial, educational licensees that operate 350 PBS member stations and serve all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.